Interested in auditioning for the role of a guinea pig?? What if it were for a good cause, like science?

Amateur researchers and science enthusiasts have aided in scientific research projects for quite a long time. For example, members of the John James Audubon society have participated in bird counts to aid in conservation efforts for over a century.

This method called 'citizen science,' or 'crowdsourcing,' is the systematic collection and analysis of data. It can work in several different ways, like citizens collecting data for researchers to analyze or citizens analyzing the data that researchers have collected.

Below are some web applications that let you be the guinea pig and help science--consider it micro-volunteering!

EteRNASolve puzzles by shaping RNA nucleotides and help scientists unlock the secrets of genetics.

Polymath BlogThis one is for all you math-letes out there. This project posts mathematical equations and relies on the crowd to solve them.

Welcome back to the blog. We took a week or so off to wrap everything up with the Louisville Young Filmmakers Festival, and we had a blast! This week we are looking at some cool sites that allow you to make you own video games.

Game Makers

Here are some websites that allow you to make and share games with friends:

Welcome back to the blog after a bit of a break. Today we will discuss how to use a green screen and make some movie magic.

(Patrick Fitzgerald, Beargrass Media Director, giving a discussion on green screen magic at this past weekends' community-led workshop as part of the Louisville Young Filmmakers Festival)

Using Chroma Key

Using a green screen is a fairly simple process that can be done with a green cloth or brightly painted wall.

First, record a person or subject in front of the green screen and add it your video editing software. Next, you will need to utilize a tool called chroma key to remove the green leaving just the subject. (Tip: don't wear clothing that is the same color as the green screen, or else the background will bleed through.)

Next, add another background image or video clip in the same time frame on the storyboard of your video editing software to place the actor in a new background. (If you zoom in on your actor, be sure to zoom in on the background to match.) Adjust your sound levels and export your clip.

Free Video Editing Software

Here are some freely-downloadable software programs that have a chroma keyer:

Welcome back to the blog! With the 85th Academy Awards just around the corner (and the Louisville Young Filmmakers Festival!) we thought that it would be nice to look at some free web apps to help you get the most out of your Oscar experience for 2013.

Oscars App

Learn more about this year's nominees, cast your guesses with your friends on Facebook, and follow along with the winners. Available on: Android, Kindle Fire, and iOS

IMDB

Look up information on any movie, actor, or director. Watch trailers and find release dates for new movies. Available on: Web, Android, Kindle Fire, and iOS